10 Tips on Bar Etiquette

Going to the bar and having a drink may seem like one of the easiest things a man can do, but nothing is ever easy in life… especially going to the bar. If you’re a rookie, then you’ll be making mistake after mistake and end up embarrassing yourself. One needs to know how to behave at a bar and with a bartender. There are certain rules, a bar etiquette and we’ve got the tips of bar etiquette – for example, you’re going out Saturday night to your local pub and you’re in the mood for coffee, don’t ask the bartender to make you some gourmet coffee drinks, ask for a simple coffee, it’s a bar, not a coffee shop! Read on to learn more about how to behave at a bar.

10. Do NOT Go Behind the Bar

Whatever you do, try to avoid at all costs going behind the bar. That is not your space, it’s the bartenders’ and no matter how at home you may feel in the bar, no matter how good friends you are with the bartender, do not go behind the bar. It’s is one of the biggest don’ts in the history of bars. Wait patiently by the bar, your time will come.

9. Be Polite

A nice thank you never hurt anyone, especially said to the persons handling your drinks and/or foods. We’re not saying that they might do something to your order if you’re not polite, but smoothing your way to the bartender’s heart is always a good thing. We know that after a couple of drinks many people tend to forget their manners, but try your best not to let that happen to you.

8. Don’t Play with Your Booze

Playing with the cup holders, peeling the label off your beer and making a mess on the table will only make you appear anxious and childish. Besides, the bartenders are there to serve you drinks, not clean the mess you’ve left behind just because you can’t seem to handle your feelings otherwise. Drink some more, maybe you’ll be more relaxed.

7. Have Cash

Paying with your credit card in a busy bar is downright rude. Try to have cash when it’s time for you to pay the bill. It takes more time to swipe your credit card and wait for a response from the bank than it does when you simply give your bartender the cash. Also, try having smaller bills.

6. Try to Order All Your Drinks at Once

No, we’re not saying that you should order all your drinks for the night in one go, we’re merely suggesting that you order one round at once. It can be uncomfortable for your bartender to come back with your order, just to go back and get you something else. Think before you order, try to focus, although sometimes it can be hard.

5. Do NOT Touch the Bartender

Do NOT touch the bartender! It doesn’t matter if he or she is attractive; it doesn’t matter if he or she gave you a discount or if you’re happy about your promotion. Hold your emotions back when it comes to bartenders. How would you like to be touched out of the blue while you were out doing your job? Be polite and hands off!

4. Don’t Hit the Bar

Tips of bar etiquette will almost always include this one: do not hit the bar! If you’re looking to grab the bartender’s attention, there are better ways to do it – raise your hand or make eye contact. Hitting the bar will make you look like a douche and no bartender likes a douche in their bar.

3. Make Eye Contact with the Bartender

Eye contact with the bartender means only one thing and one thing alone: you are ready to order and they should take your order. Only if you’re ready to tell them what you want, do you make eye contact. Flirting with a bartender is futile, trust us. If you really like a bartender and you’d like to get a chance to know them, then wait for their shift to end and ask them out for a cup of coffee.

2. Tip, Tip, Tip

Don’t be cheap, tip! Try to give at least 10% of your bill, it’s a way to say thank you to your bartender. Also, if you’re too hazy to do the math, then you can take out your calculator and work the numbers. It’s better to do that, then not leave a tip at all.

1. Make Up Your Mind Before You Get to the Bar

Once you get up from your table and you’re heading to the bar, you should know, or at least have an idea of what you’d like to order. Once you’re there, do not make eye contact or wave to the bartender unless you’ve got your order ready. They’ve got better things to do than look at you while figuring out what to have.

Did you enjoy out tips of bar etiquette? Would you like to add anything else? I’m sure every country has its own rules and conventions about drinking at a bar. Share some with us, we’d love to hear from you.